At last weekend's International Sportsman's Exposition, Chico resident Ed Migale received the ultimate accolade for an avid outdoorsman; induction into the California Outdoors Hall of Fame.

Started in 2002, the COHOF includes such auspicious names as John Muir, Ansel Adams, Ray Cannon, Jedediah Smith, and Yvon Chouinard. Nominees for the hall must fulfill two requirements: First, Inspired thousands of Californians to take part in the outdoors and/or conservation, and; second, taken part in a paramount scope of adventures.

"Looking at the list of names who are already in the hall, I am truly humbled," Migale said. "Getting this award means so much to me. I am really grateful for the uncountable people I've met while hunting and fishing, and who have shared their knowledge with me over the past 30 years. I'll never be the same."

One of Migale's biggest accomplishments is attaining the "Royal Slam" of turkey hunting by bagging the Merriam's, Rio Grande, Eastern, Osceola, and Gould's subspecies of turkeys. "It took me three trips to Wyoming to bag that Merriam's," Migale recalled. "I call that one my 9,000-mile bird."

Only five other Californians have ever accomplished the Royal Slam.

Originally from the Bay Area, among the additional items key to Migale's nomination were his development of light-tackle saltwater fishing tackle and techniques for rockfish, halibut and especially salmon. He was among the earliest proponents of the mooching approach for salmon in California.

Since moving to Chico in 1994, Migale has been past Chairman of the Chico Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and has volunteered with Ducks Unlimited, California Waterfowl Association, and Chico's "Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs" children's event.

He was also a founding member of the CWA's "Youth Education Committee." When Federal Law first allowed for a special "Youth Hunting Day" in 1996, Migale arranged for dozens of youngsters to hunt at his duck club. He has also hunted and fished throughout California and the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Africa.

Migale, 54, is co-owner of North State Audiological Services with his wife, Dr. Crystal Chalmers, Au.D.

The ceremony was conducted by popular outdoor personality and author Tom Stienstra, who was himself inducted into the hall in 2003. Others also inducted this year included San Francisco salmon boat skipper Jacky Douglas, and Southern California angling historian Michael Farrior.

Other North Valley residents inducted into the COHOF include retired DFG warden Terry Hodges of Oroville in 2006, flycasting guru Hal Janssen of Forest Ranch in 2010, and myself in 2010. A complete listing of inductees can be viewed at caloutdoorshalloffame.org.

Bob Post milestone

At the recent Butte County Fish and Game Commission meeting, the commissioners honored Oroville's Bob Post, who has served on the panel representing the Oroville supervisory district for 20 years. An Oroville resident and outdoorsman, the now-retired Post was the longtime manager of Huntington's Sportsman's Store in Oroville, and also worked at RCBS Manufacturing during its early days.

The ever-humble Post could only muster up "Thanks" when presented with a commemorative plaque, but 20 years worth of County Supervisors from Oroville have continued to depend on him for his comprehensive knowledge of local outdoors-related issues.